Make a Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Let's reinvent the gravy boat! I'm always trying to find fun, unique vessels for floral arrangements and what could be more perfect for Thanksgiving than one of our extra gravy boats! I like a low centerpiece for the table because it doesn't block anyone's view when we all sit down. Here's a quick and easy way to make a lovely centerpiece for under $15.

I got two bunches of six dollar flowers (one floral and one of greenery) at the local supermarket, and I also grabbed a fresh bunch of rosemary for just a few bucks.

 Start by placing two of the largest stems of greenery horizontally inside the gravy boat.

 Cut the stems of your floral down to about 3 inches. The base of the flower (under the head) should rest on the edge of the gravy boat. Working your way around the edge, fill the entire edge of the boat.

 Continue circling in a spiral pattern closing in toward the center until you have filled all of the empty space. See below.

 Now it's time to add in the rest of greenery sprigs!

(I added two more types of thin greenery, including the long grass and rosemary.) Place them in at random. I wove the ends of my grasses back down into the arrangement to create loose loops! 

That's it! So inexpensive and very simple. I think it creates a really unique and beautiful finished product, don't you?  This would also make a really sweet hostess gift too, you could even buy an extra gravy boat at your local thrift shop so he or she can keep the whole arrangement!
Next time someone says " pass the gravy please"....just kidding! 

Do you like making something special to dress up your holiday table?


FOLLOW ME ON BLOGLOVIN!

Make Cardboard Tube Ornaments

I have always loved tiny little scenes...dioramas were totally my thing in school. So when it comes to little holiday decorations, I'm a sucker for anything that falls into the category...snow globes, filled ornaments, etc. Here's a fun little project that costs almost nothing and will put to use all of those empty paper towel rolls!

You will need:
-Empty cardboard tube( paper towel or toilet paper roll)
-Decorative paper
-Glue
-Xacto knife or scissors
-Little knickknacks
-Ribbon scraps

Simply slice off sections of the tube (I made mine about an inch wide), and trim decorative paper to fit the backs. Glue the back rim of the cardboard to the paper and fill with little knickknacks, gluing it all in securely. Lastly, glue a bit of ribbon around the outer surface of the ornament for hanging.

Aren't they sweet? I think this would be really fun project to do with kiddos as well.
I hope you all are having a wonderful Friday!

Any big plans for the weekend??


FOLLOW ME ON BLOGLOVIN!

Make Winter Stationary

Hand decorating paper is a really easy way to create stationary with a personal and unique feel. Since I'm in a snowy mood, after our first little snowfall, I thought it would be sweet to make some snowflake themed note sets! Really simple and totally sweet, here's how easy it is:

You will need:
-Plain envelope & note-card set (or make your won from a good weight cardstock)
-White stamp pad
-Letter stamps: "S,N,O, &W"
-Plain cotton Q-tips

The steps are so simple. Start by dotting your Q-tip into the white stamp pad, and pressing gently (in a free and loose pattern) along the edges of your paper. When the dots have dried  go back in and stamp the word snow with your letters stamps in a blank space. Repeat process on each piece of the set. Allow to dry and send to a friend!

I love how simple yet pretty these turned out. I might even make some gift tags using the same technique!

Happy stamping!


FOLLOW ME ON BLOGLOVIN!

Surprise

To my excitement, we awoke this morning to our first snow. About an inch of pure white fluffiness. A wonderful midweek surprise....

Have you had any flakes yet?


FOLLOW ME ON BLOGLOVIN!

How to make Holiday Luminaries

We had a few flurries today, which was pretty much the most exciting thing ever. It's getting harder and harder not to turn on the Christmas music. I feel like I should wait until at least Thanksgiving, don't you? In the mean time, I decided to get out some clay and make these little holiday luminaries to light up our mantle.

You will need:
-White polymer clay
-Knife
-Glass votive holders and small votive candle

Start by rolling out your clay, about 1/4 inch thick. Using a clay knife (or Xacto knife), carefully cut out the shape of the house, including windows or doors. Attach small triangles at a 90 degree angle to the back of your house so that it will be free-standing when done. Bake according to package instructions, with the front of the house facing down (legs up), and allow to cool. Place a votive behind your luminary. (*be sure to follow all safety precautions when using an open flame, like a candle)

These little guys really cheer me up! They were so simple to make...I could even see making a few more and having a little village on the mantle top.

Are already feeling a bit of the holiday spirit like me?


FOLLOW ME ON BLOGLOVIN!

Project Pebble Update

Remember these guys? Well I thought it would be fun to share a little update, as I've had some really fun responses to them in recent months. If you read my original Project Pebble post, you'll remember that I started painting these little rocks and adding my site address in hopes of getting the word out about Attic Lace. My family, friends, and I started leaving them places for people to find! The rocks themselves always disappear quickly, but lately I have actually had some people reach out to tell me where they've found them which has been really, really cool.

I received this email from a lovely lady after out trip to Cape Cod this summer:

"Hi! I was recently on vacation in Eastham when I saw a woman drive out of a gas station and her purse (which she mistakenly left on the roof of her car) fell in to the middle of busy Route 6!  I eventually tracked her down using, of all things, her AAA card that was in the wallet (along with her Colorado driver's license, hotel room key, and a lot of money!)

 

Anyway, we agreed to meet at one of the shops on Route 6 that sells t-shirts, inflatable beach toys, etc.  While I was waiting for her, I found a rock with "lace" painted on it and the name of your BlogSpot.  I didn't take the rock, thinking someone left it and would be back, although I wish I had because it was so pretty!

 

Anyway, the vacationer was reunited with her purse and I stumbled upon your website so we both were lucky! - Marybeth

This is one of my favorites for sure, it really made me smile, thanks Marybeth!!

This photo came from our friends Pete and Marilyn in Virginia! They kindly placed a rock for me on one of their awesome hikes up into the mountains. what a view, huh? Thanks guys!!

I also received the following comments after leaving some rocks on one of our camping trips:

"Soooo, I just happen to work where you went camping and we found two of those gorgeous stones you painted with the lace pattern. Are there anymore hidden treasures? If so it will be fun to see if we can find more. Glad you enjoyed your camping trip...it's a gorgeous campground if I say so myself and an excellent place to work!"

"I am the caretaker at Wilson. As you just heard, we found the second lace stone today on the trail to the lower pond. They are just beautiful. Give us a hint if there are more and we'll hunt em' up. Glad you visited us again and that you enjoy our beautiful park so much. -Lisa"

I absolutely loved getting these responses, it has made the whole thing that much more fun. Thanks to all those that have been helping me with the project and to those that have shared their little story!

I'll be continuing this project into the new year so keep your eyes open and please share if you find one!

FOLLOW ME ON BLOGLOVIN!

Cup Cozy

Can you tell I'm on a yarn kick lately? I think it's my crafting medium of choice right now because it's such a snuggley material. I want to put tiny scarves and hats on everything (a few of our ceramic animal knick-knacks are already donned with mini knits)...everything including my coffee mug. Actually this quite a handy one, I've bought a hot cup of coffee many a time and forgotten to grab the little cardboard sleeve. If I had one of these in my bag, I'd never again have scalded palms! Plus I think it's just so darn cute.

You will need:
-yarn
-1 medium button
-knitting needles (mine are ridiculously long, I know...)

(This little sleeve is composed of purls only, but you could do a knit if you wanted..or any little pattern!)
Start by casting on, I made mine 10 stitches wide. Purl all the way down, completing a total of 30 rows.
Cast off and choose your medium button.

Stitch your button in the center of one of the ends of your piece.

Using an extra piece of yarn, make a tie on the the other end of your piece. Pull it tight. You can tie a knot into this to make a loop, or leave the ends free to tie around your button once you've wrapped it around your mug. I left mine free for wrapping.

Place your new "cozy" around your cup!! I like the way this make a "bow" shape once I pulled it around. Another perk is that there will be no confusion as to which coffee/tea is mine! No more scribbled names across the lids of my cups.

FOLLOW ME ON BLOGLOVIN!